Chinatown Planning and Rezoning Study Key Findings from Research on Existing Conditions & Preliminary Strategies Presentation to Manhattan Community Board 3’s Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee September 10, 2013 Pratt Center for Community Development and The Collective for Community, Culture and the Environment Consultants to the Chinatown Working Group
CWG Members • 11 Allen Street Tenants Association • CREATE in Chinatown • 61 Delancey Street Tenants Association • Educational Alliance • 197 Madison Street Tenants Association • Friends of Columbus Park • American Legion Post 1291 • Good Ole Lower East Side (GOLES) • Asian American Arts Centre • Greater Chinatown Community Association • Asian Americans for Equality • Hamilton-Madison House • Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund • Hester Street Collaborative • Bowery Alliance of Neighbors • Hotel Chinese Association • Cherry Street Tenant Association • Immigrant Social Services • Chinatown Business & Property Owners Group • Indochina Sino-American Community Center • Chinatown Partnership • International Chinese Transportation Professionals • Chinatown Rotary Club Association • Chinatown YMCA • Lin Sing Association • Chinatown Youth Initiatives • Lin Ze Xu Foundation of USA • Chinese American Planning Council • Lower East Side Business Improvement District • Chinese American Medical Society • Lower Manhattan GOP • Chinese Chamber of Commerce of NY • Little Italy Merchants Association • Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association • M'Finda Kalunga Community Garden • Chinese Progressive Association • Museum of Chinese in America • Chinese Staff & Workers' Association • National Mobilization Against Sweatshops • Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence • New York Downtown Hospital • Community Board #1 Manhattan • PS 130M Parents' Association • Community Board #2 Manhattan • The Pistol Club of Greater Chinatown • Community Board #3 Manhattan • 318 Restaurant Workers Union • Community Emergency Response Team, CB#2 • Two Bridges Neighborhood Council • Confucius Plaza • United Fukinese American Association • Continental Garment Manufacturers Association
Chinatown Planning & Rezoning Study • Building on the work of the Culture, Affordability, Preservation and Zoning (CAPZ) and Economic Development Working Teams of the Chinatown Working Group. • Developing recommendations and implementation strategies for Affordable Housing, Culture and Historic Preservation, Economic Development and Zoning.
Study Areas
Demographics
Chinese Population, 2010
White Population, 2010
Black Population, 2010
Latino Population, 2010
Median Age, 2010
Median Household Income
Housing Affordability
High Rates of Renter-Occupied Housing
Loss of Affordable Rental Housing • 30,351 rent regulated units in context area • Median rent for rent- regulated units in Chinatown/LES was $1,205 while for market-rate units it was $2,680 • Between 2002 and 2008* Chinatown and LES lost 9,000 rent- regulated units • Mitchell-Lama age-out and conversion to market rate * Additional research being conducted for last 5 years
Rising Housing Costs • Market-rate rental prices rising • Rent-burdened households – those who pay more than 30% of their income on rent -- concentrated in Chinatown core
Housing Overcrowding
NYCHA’s Proposed Infill Plan • Lease open land to private developers • Housing would be 80% market-rate and 20% affordable • Strong opposition
Potential Strategies Preservation of existing affordable housing • Incorporate anti-harassment and anti- demolition regulations in a Special District, as in the Clinton Special District and other NYC Special Districts, to prevent predatory evictions and intentional demolitions by landlords, and preserve the existing rent regulated stock in Chinatown and its surrounding areas. • Increase awareness of, and encourage use of, the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program in rent-regulated, Mitchell- Lama, and other forms of housing, to maintain affordable housing for seniors with a combined household income of $29,000 or less per year. Also the Disability Rent Increase Exemption Program (DRIE).
Potential Strategies Use of local area median income to determine affordability levels in publicly subsidized or incentivized residential development. Affordable housing, as defined in a Special Zoning District, should be limited to the two lowest bands of the Area Median Income (AMI) – 30% and 50% - reflecting average local incomes. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Income Limits for a three- person household in NY Metropolitan Area, 2011 Income Group % of AMI Maximum Max Monthly Annual Income Affordable Rent Extremely Low-income 30% $22,100 $553 Very Low-income 50% $36,850 $921 Low-income 80% $58,950 $1,474 Moderate-income 120% $88,350 $2,209 Middle-income 150% $110,450 $2,761 200% $147,250 $3,681 Source: UD HUD Income Limits, Furman Center
Median Household Income
Potential Strategies Affordable rental housing development • Create more affordable rental housing units through existing subsidy and incentive programs such as the 421-a tax incentive program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credits incentive program, and mandatory Inclusionary Zoning, using local median income to determine affordable rents levels. • Explore the creation of a low-rent version of NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s micro -unit pilot program, for potential development of affordable housing for low-income individuals through new construction or rehabilitation. • All new housing development on public land should be affordable (as defined in a proposed Special District) to low-income residents. Promote 100% affordability on NYCHA property and ensure that development meets the needs of local residents. Affordable homeownership development • Pursue affordable homeownership development through bonuses, tax incentives, Mutual Housing and other programs. Ensure that these programs restrict immediate resale and recapture property value increases.
NYCHA Developments (Smith, Baruch, LaGuardia Houses) • Require public review under ULURP of any proposal for development on NYCHA property. • Explore designation of a Special Planned Community Preservation District for NYCHA developments on the lower East River waterfront The Planned Community Preservation Special District would protect the unique character of the NYCHA public housing projects that were planned and developed as a unit. No demolition, new development, enlargement or alteration of landscaping or topography would be permitted in the Special District except by special permit. The special permit would require a ULURP.
Business & Employment
Commercial Corridors Manufacturing Businesses Personal Services Businesses Wholesale Businesses Food & Accommodations Businesses
Key Industries in Draft Study Area by # of Employees Source: U.S. Census On the Map; Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012
Residents who Walk to Work
Key Findings from Local Businesses • Major Challenges: – Loss of customers – Limited parking – Increased rent • Current businesses unaware of existing assistance programs • Access to loans not a significant issue
Potential Strategies Enhance business support services • Promote fellowships sponsored by local non-profits to encourage next generation entrepreneurs and capacity building for local businesses and economic development projects. • Support and develop assistance programs for small businesses that are representative of the unique character and assets of the area and provide culturally specialized goods and services for local and regional shoppers. • Develop assistance programs for small business disaster preparedness and business continuity. • Develop coordinated marketing campaign for Chinatown businesses and/or specific sectors. • Tax incentives for landlords/developers maintaining affordable commercial space. Preserve zoning that protects and promotes mixed uses, including commercial and manufacturing
Potential Strategies Improve transportation options to facilitate customer access • Identify alternatives for municipal parking that take valuable public parking spaces (e.g. prohibit government placards for street parking) • Strengthen connections with regional bus lines to promote local shopping Leverage Chinatown’s cultural assets for economic development and increased “foot traffic” • Develop a night market featuring local artisans and other vendors; coordinate with local retailers to maximize foot traffic to existing stores during market hours • Revive/develop cultural events such as the “Taste of Chinatown” or a Lunar New Year flower market • Curate cultural performances featuring Asian performers marketed to the NYC’s regions Chinese community • Identify and develop open spaces that provide venues for both formal and informal cultural expression and activities.
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